God, what a total jerk, I remind myself, pushing down the flutter in my stomach that he gives me. I think I’m going to need two hot chocolates.
Four
DASHER
I watch her every movement as Eve goes into the kitchen with Rae. I follow closely behind them and take a seat at the small table near the bay window. We have a live-in kitchen staff, so the kitchen is usually their area. But ever since Rae moved in, she’s forced us all to participate in the meal prep, and I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed the time together.
Rae is excitedly pointing to where all the dishes are and then showing Eve into the pantry. Jillian takes a seat across from me and opens the newspaper. She immediately hands me the business section while she reads the sports. You’d never know it by looking at her, but she’s obsessed with football.
Eve glances over at us out of the corner of her eye as she explains to Rae her secret hot cocoa process.
“How old are you?” Rae asks Eve, and Jillian clicks her tongue.
“That’s rude,” she tells her, and Rae tucks her chin.
“It’s okay,” Eve says and nudges Rae. “I’m twenty-four.”
“Are you married?” Rae asks, and Jillian makes another noise.
“Rae,” she warns, and my niece shrugs.
“It’s just a question.”
“It’s fine, really,” Eve says, and I’m playing with the edge of the paper as I wait for her answer. “No, I’m not married, and I don’t have any children either.”
“What about a boyfriend?” Rae asks quickly this time, and before Jillian can object, I kick her under the table.
“Ow!” she hisses at me, but all my concentration is on Eve’s answer.
“Um, no, not at the moment.” She’s quieter this time when she answers, and then I hear her explain some of the directions on how to melt the chocolate.
“My uncle is single,” Rae offers, and I remind myself to slip her some cash later.
“Oh really?” Eve exaggerates the words and smiles over at Jillian. “Is he good looking?”
“Yeah, my mom says he’s a catch.”
“I’m not sure this is appropriate,” Jillian warns, but Rae keeps pushing.
“Anything else I should know before you introduce us?”
Rae pretends to think. “My mom also says it’s going to take a good woman to knock him over the head.”
Eve smothers her laughter, and I narrow my eyes at Jillian. “What?” She shrugs and goes back to reading the paper.
“Sometimes it takes the right person to make us change our ways,” Eve says to Rae as they whisk the milk on the stove. “My parents fell in love at first sight.”
“Really?” Jillian asks as she props her chin on her hand. “That’s so sweet.”
“Yeah, it was. They’re not with me anymore, but I hope someday to have a love like that. One that just knocks you off your feet.”
“How romantic,” Rae tells her as she looks off dreamily.
Eve laughs, and the sound is so soft and sweet. She moves around the kitchen like she’s done it a thousand times, and I like how good she looks here in this space.
When I first asked Jillian to move back home, she was hesitant and made the excuse that I could always fall in love and want to start a family here at the estate. I didn’t think it would be possible, but I told her even then that this place was our home, and we would raise our families together. It’s also big enough to raise five families here and never be in the same room. Our parents left the estate to both of us, and it’s just as much her home as it is mine. Her ex-husband was the one who didn’t want to live here. Probably because it would have been easier for us to keep tabs on him.
“How did you two meet?” Eve asks while she and Rae get out mugs.
“Pardon?” Jillian asks, looking at me and then to Eve.
“You and Mr. Sleigh. How did you two meet?”
Rae laughs as she shakes her head. “That’s my uncle, silly.” She elbows Eve. “We should put extra marshmallows in mine.”
I cock my head to the side and take in the shock on Eve’s face as she stands frozen for a second. I never corrected her last night, and I was enjoying Rae’s interrogation. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips, and I look down to try and hide it.
“Oh,” is all she says as she blinks and then goes back to making hot chocolate.
“Jillian is my sister,” I say, and Eve’s eyes come to mine. “Rae is my niece, and this is their first Christmas here since Rae was born.”
“It’s going to be the best,” Rae says as she brings a mug over to her mom and then to me.
“I agree, munchkin.” I wink at her and take the hot cocoa.
“If this hot chocolate is any indication, I’m inclined to agree,” Jillian confirms as she sips on her drink. “And as much as I’d love to stay right here and sip this all day, we’re late, Rae.”